Greek 331, Fall 2010HerodotusTarik Wareh

I am usually in my office, so please drop by anytime! You can also email me to make an appointment, which can usually be arranged on short notice. Do come by or email me as often as you like to ask questions about the readings or to run your ideas by me!

Course Goals and Requirements

Goals

to get to know the texture of Herodotus' History up close in Greek, while keeping a complete perspective in view by digesting a book of the History each week more quickly in English

to develop our own ideas about the style, structure, methods, and significance of Herodotus' History: how the historical narrative is constructed from its parts and interprets its material

to pursue these ideas through discussions, presentations, questions, and writing assignments, with constant recourse to the original Greek texts

to see Herodotus in his historical and cultural context: his place in the poetic tradition and the innovations of fifth-century prose; his intellectual, political, and religious attitudes; and how his performance is addressed to his contemporaries

to deepen and sharpen our knowledge of the Greek language by

consolidating our knowledge of basic Greek grammar, while learning the minor peculiarities of the Ionic dialect

rereading as much as possible until we are understanding the unannotated original text as smoothly and naturally as possible, with the ability to stop, parse, and explain the grammar

doing justice to the literary qualities of Herodotean Greek, and grasping the ideas with which it makes sense of history

to gain an acquaintance with a variety of scholarly approaches to Herodotus, and to synthesize these in our own discussions

to experience the awe and delight that only this material offers, to hear what compelled the attention of the Ancient Greeks

Requirements and grading

Attempt a grammatical and literary explanation of everything in each day's assignment before coming to class. Come each day ready to share your understanding and interpretation of Herodotus, to ask specific questions about what you have not understood, and to pursue broader and deeper questions raised by the narrative!

Three essays

30%

Quizzes (announced and unannounced) and other written assignments
Daily preparation, participation, presentations

40%

Final exam covering grammar and translation for readings marked [F] otherwise covering materials and ideas from the whole course

30%

Faithful and punctual attendance and completion of all assignments (including careful and timely reading of the assigned texts) are the minimal requirements for passing this course. Any arrangements for absences or missed work must be agreed to in advance and should not be expected without a compelling reason beyond your control.

Course policies

Academic Honor Code. All work submitted for this course must be your own; assume that any idea of another person must always be cited clearly and specifically. (This is just as true of loosely repeated ideas as of quoted ideas. And an "idea" is anything that contributes to the quality of your work: for example, not just literary analysis, but also the selection of which passages are discussed.) You may discuss the readings with your classmates but must not collaborate on any individual written assignment. If you ever have any question about proper citation or the propriety of collaboration, please consult with me. The penalty for using ideas that are not your own, in any assignment, without proper attribution, will be, at least, a failing grade in the course. Violations could also result in expulsion from college or a record of dishonesty that would exclude you from professional school. The Academic Honor Code also requires your refusal to tolerate dishonesty in quizzes and exams (copying, using any aids, or communicating). A full statement of Union's Academic Honor Code may be found in the Student Handbook (see pp. 120-124). See also Union's statement on plagiarism.

Disabilities. It is Union College policy to make accommodations for individuals with disabilities. If you have any disability or special concern, please let me know what your needs are in order that they may be accommodated. All discussions will remain confidential to the extent permissible by law. Students with disabilities needing academic accommodations must also: (1) register with and provide documentation to the Dean of Students Office; (2) bring a letter to the instructor from the Dean of Students Office indicating what academic accommodations you require. This must be done within the first two weeks of the term. For more information about services available to Union College students with disabilities, please contact the Dean of Students Office: Shelly Shinebarger, Director of Student Support Services, Dean of Students Office, shinebas@union.edu, (518) 388-6116.